AfricaBusiness.com - Africa Business

21Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, South Africa News

Pay-as-you-go everything – innovation, the African way

Reach Africa’s Sales Director Leslie Adams discusses the rise of incremental purchasing and how it’s shifting the African economy In a Johannesburg township lives an entrepreneur; one who is going about his business in a uniquely African way. Miles Kubheka’s business ‘Gcwalisa’ is a shipping container-based retail outlet kitted out with bulk dispensers, apportioning essential goods like maize and sugar. The store operates on a weigh-and-pay basis: Kubheka purchases goods in bulk from food manufacturers, taking advantage of the wholesale discounts. He passes these savings on to his customers, who only pay for the amount they choose to purchase. Goods are brought home in reusable containers, further reducing costs. The idea behind Gcwalisa was born from the reality that many township resi...

21Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Fintech

Digitisation as Africa’s Great Equaliser in Financial Services

By Saviour Chibiya, Chief Executive of Absa Regional Operations (ARO) Access to financial services in Africa had for decades been defined by disparities—between rural and urban areas, between men and women, between small businesses and larger enterprises. It meant that millions, especially the continent’s most vulnerable populations, were excluded from the formal economy, curbing entrepreneurship, restricting access to credit, and stifling upward financial mobility for far too long. But by the turn of the millennium, change was afoot. Early web pioneers like Ghanaian professor Nii Quaynor, often hailed as "Africa’s father of the internet", were busy laying the groundwork for the continent's foundational online infrastructure. In 1994, Quaynor introduced Ghana’s first internet service ...

19Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Fintech

Ecentric Wins Fintech Innovation of the Year at 2024 Africa Tech Festival Awards

Ecentric, a leading omnichannel payments provider, and its partners were awarded Fintech Innovation of the Year at the 2024 Africa Tech Festival for their pioneering Wealth on Wheels (WOW) initiative, aimed at transforming South Africa's minibus taxi industry. The awards ceremony, held on November 13, 2024, at the Bay Hotel in Camps Bay, Cape Town, celebrated outstanding technological innovation across Africa. The event recognized companies, individuals, and projects for their contributions to advancing technology on the continent. Launched at the Southern African National Transport Conference (SATC) in Pretoria, the WOW platform brings digital solutions to the heart of transportation, modernizing the minibus taxi sector and driving it into the digital era. In collaboration with the Eas...

19Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Nigeria News, Startups

TLP Advisory Celebrates 10 Years with New Report on Nigeria’s Startup Ecosystem

The report identifies talent shortages, funding challenges, and regulatory barriers as key obstacles, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships and policy advocacy. 51% of surveyed startups struggle to secure funding, with angel investors playing a vital role. 30% of founders cite regulatory issues as significant barriers, urging stronger policy engagement. One-third of startups rely on strategic partnerships, underscoring collaboration as a critical factor for resilience. TLP Advisory, the venture law firm headquartered in Lagos, with offices in London and New York marks ten years of operation with the launch of a new report, “A Decade of the Nigerian Venture Ecosystem: Numbers, Insights & Stories.” The report provides a comprehensive analysis of Nigeria's ...

19Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, Tech

Experts Warn of Common Black Friday Scams to Avoid

With Black Friday just around the corner, thousands of deals and discounts will be up for grabs on November 29th. Whether you're a savvy shopper hunting for bargains or getting a head start on holiday gift shopping, there will be plenty of irresistible offers to take advantage of. However, it's crucial to stay vigilant, as online scams tend to increase in the lead-up to major sales events. Cybercriminals often take advantage of the larger audiences drawn to websites by discounted prices and special offers, making it more important than ever to protect yourself from potential threats. Marco Farnararo, CEO and Co-Founder of BravoVoucher.co.uk, has shared his expert advice on how to identify and steer clear of Black Friday scams. Fake Websites Popular retai...

19Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Events, Startups

EMERGING Valley Set for Record Attendance: Over 100 Startups, 150+ Speakers, and 40 Inspiring Conferences Scheduled

On December 3, 2024, Aix-Marseille-Provence, designated as the European Capital of Innovation in 2023, will host the 8th edition of EMERGING Valley at the futuristic and inspiring site of TheCamp. Organized under the High Patronage of President Emmanuel Macron, this international event is supported by the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, the Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Council, Euroméditerranée, the City of Marseille, and the French Development Agency (AFD). It will bring together 150 speakers, over 40 sessions across 3 top-tier stages, and participants from more than 50 countries, solidifying Aix-Marseille-Provence's status as a strategic hub for emerging technologies connecting Europe and Africa. A Main Stage Rich in Strategic Announcements and Inspiring Discussions The Main Stage ...

17Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Fintech, South Africa News, Tech

SAFPS Warns: Technology is Emerging as a Major Battleground in the Fight Against Fraud

International Fraud Awareness Week is a global annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the widespread issue of fraud and showcasing the efforts across various sectors to combat this growing challenge. This year it takes place from November 17 to 24. "The role technology plays in fraud, and scams is becoming particularly challenging in South Africa," says Nazia Karrim, Head of Product Development at the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS), “with South Africa growing into an increasingly connected society, online fraud is a significant challenge that needs to be addressed." Be Careful of Business Email Compromise (BEC) The increased nature of technology-based fraud is evident in the recent statistics accompanying it. This is a significant challenge for companies th...

15Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Ethiopia News

Ethio Telecom – An African Model for UN-Driven Corporate Climate Action at COP29

Six Years of Commitment to Reforestation and Climate Resilience Inspire Call for Global Corporate-UN Collaboration As COP29 unfolds in Baku, Azerbaijan, the focus on contributions to climate goals has taken center stage. Among the most compelling examples of proactive climate action comes from Africa, where Ethio Telecom, Ethiopia’s leading 130 years old telecom provider, has spent the past six years planting millions of trees as part of Ethiopia's broader Green Legacy initiative. This remarkable effort not only demonstrates a powerful local solution but also suggests a promising model for the United Nations to scale climate action globally by mobilizing corporate partnerships. Pioneering Climate Accountability Through Tree Planting Since 2019, Ethio Telecom has spearheaded a six-year t...

12Nov

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Energy, Kenya News

d.light Co-Founder and CEO Nedjip Tozun Recognized on 2024 TIME100 Climate List for Pioneering Clean Energy Access Impact

Nedjip Tozun, Co-Founder and CEO of d.light, has been honored with a spot on the prestigious *TIME100 Climate* list for 2024. This annual list highlights the world's most influential leaders driving meaningful climate action and pioneering sustainable solutions across industries. Tozun’s inclusion recognizes his transformative work in expanding access to clean energy for underserved communities in Africa and Asia. Since co-founding d.light in 2007 at Stanford University, Tozun has dedicated himself to providing affordable, off-grid clean energy solutions that empower lives and protect the planet. Under his leadership, d.light has positively impacted over 180 million people by delivering solar-powered products—ranging from home systems and lanterns to appliances—that have improved energy...

11Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business

Virgin Atlantic returns to Mexico with new flights to Cancun

Three weekly flights between London Heathrow and Cancun for Winter 2025, starting 19th October 2025 The new service will be the only direct route between London Heathrow and Cancun, operating on one of Virgin Atlantic's new, fuel efficient aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000 Virgin Atlantic Holidays customers will be able to book premium sunshine, eco and adventure holidays in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and beyond Virgin Atlantic is set to return to Mexico with three weekly flights from London Heathrow to Cancun commencing on 19 October 2025. The new service provides easy access to Central America, offering travellers premium sunshine holidays to the amazing beaches, history, nightlife and food scene of Mexico. The route will be the only direct service between London Heathrow to Cancun, ...